Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

How should I sell my computer?

jackc

jackc

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Oct 19, 2003
1,490
0
I'm trying to decide whether to go ebay or craigslist (northern VA).

I've heard stories about sellers getting screwed on ebay when buyers complain, but maybe that's just a small minority.

Also, what do you think my laptop is worth, I've seen prices vary a lot:

PB 12" 1.33 GHz, 60GB HD, 768MB RAM, very good condition, everything originally included (with box)
 
jackc said:
I'm trying to decide whether to go ebay or craigslist (northern VA).

I've heard stories about sellers getting screwed on ebay when buyers complain, but maybe that's just a small minority.

Also, what do you think my laptop is worth, I've seen prices vary a lot:

PB 12" 1.33 GHz, 60GB HD, 768MB RAM, very good condition, everything originally included (with box)
Click to expand...

Macrumors Marketplace?
 
doesn't hurt to list on craigslist first. easier to do a cash transaction. for ebay you might want to make sure you sell to a paypal confirmed address. paypyal offers a controversial seller protection policy given certain conditions are met. personally i've never had a problem on ebay and have sold hundreds of things over the years
 
jackc said:
I've never used it, people trust each other just because they're members here? Sounds wacky!
Click to expand...

Well you can still ask for references and all that to determine your level of trust. I don't just blindly sell to anyone, nor do I blindly buy from any MR user.

You've been a member of this site for 5 years and never used the Marketplace? Wow!
 
The benefits of Craigslist is that you won't have to pay the massive fees to eBay and PayPal. How close are you to the DC metro area? I'm sure there's people around that are interested in a 12". The downside to Craigslist is obviously the sketch factor. Obviously, make sure to only accept cash.

eBay and PayPal give you the obvious benefit of a national (or international if you have the balls) audience. The keys to protecting yourself against a PayPal buyer protection claim are to: (1) only sell to / ship to someone with a Paypal-confirmed shipping address; (2) use a carrier with tracking; (3) get signature confirmation. Under no circumstances should you sell to someone IN PERSON if you've posted on eBay, since PayPal seller protection requires you to use a shipping service and delivery confirmation. The exception to this is obviously if they pay you in cash.
 
kingjr3 said:
Well you can still ask for references and all that to determine your level of trust. I don't just blindly sell to anyone, nor do I blindly buy from any MR user.

You've been a member of this site for 5 years and never used the Marketplace? Wow!
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's why I'd be wary. I've been on here a while but what's my reputation really worth? Not much. I just ask some questions and chat about Macs a little bit.

Thanks to all for the advice.
 
I've bought a computer in the MR Marketplace and didn't have any problems. I was rather wary at first (who wouldn't be?!) but their PayPal account was verified, as was mine, so that made it a lot more comforting.

If you list it on eBay, fix it so that bidders with 0 feedback can't bid. I tried selling a laptop on there about a year ago and every single time I listed it a scammer from Nigeria would "Buy It Now." I'd report them to eBay, they would be banned, I would re-list mentioning that I would NOT ship outside the United States for any reason, but it did no good. I finally gave up! If they did that for a $200 HP they'll surely do it with a PowerBook.
 
eman said:
Ebay has no shortage of scammers. Use craigslist, sell your item for cash and meet in a public spot.
Click to expand...

In the past month I've sold a 15" MacBook Pro and a Mac Mini. 8 months ago I sold a PowerMac G5. All were sold on eBay without any problems. While I'm certainly fortunate not to have come across a scammer, it is possible to adequately protect yourself against them.

Be aware that eBay allows you to cancel out bids (but note that any subsequent bids to the one you are canceling will also be removed) and then ban that user from bidding on any of your items. When it came to the 15" MacBook Pro, I pretty much cancelled anyone who had a sketchy feedback.

You definitely should have your guards up when it comes to eBay, but to suggest against using it altogether is silly.
 
Last time i read a story on MR of a guy who got beaten up when he went to sell his MBP on craigslist. Dont advise it at all.
 
desenso said:
In the past month I've sold a 15" MacBook Pro and a Mac Mini. 8 months ago I sold a PowerMac G5. All were sold on eBay without any problems. While I'm certainly fortunate not to have come across a scammer, it is possible to adequately protect yourself against them.

Be aware that eBay allows you to cancel out bids (but note that any subsequent bids to the one you are canceling will also be removed) and then ban that user from bidding on any of your items. When it came to the 15" MacBook Pro, I pretty much cancelled anyone who had a sketchy feedback.

You definitely should have your guards up when it comes to eBay, but to suggest against using it altogether is silly.
Click to expand...



I'm currently in three separate disputes with PayPal resulting from scammers on ebay. I have had to deal with around 12 scammers on ebay (mostly all in the last couple of years) and I have been on ebay since Jan 99. Make sure you use a credit card for all your purchases on ebay and follow all the PayPal rules for selling to the T (confirmed addresses, delivery and signature confirmation). This will help to minimize your loss on ebay from scammers, but may not stop it. Here is another thread on a possible victim of ebay.

It's very silly to make stuff up.
 
Personal Experience on macrumors marketplace:
I've bought, sold and traded: Windows Desktops, Mac desktops (G3s-intel machines), Laptops (again G3s- my current blackbook), video game systems, DVDs, iPods, and more, literally thousands of dollars of equipment over the years and I've never been scammed in my life, ditto for eBay, usually you don't get scammed when you're selling stuff anyways. If someone puts $xxx in your paypal account, you have it, so weather that money is from here or eBay 99% of the time you're safe as long as you aren't looking to scam someone, just make sure you get a tracking number is all.
 
kingcrowing said:
Personal Experience on macrumors marketplace:
I've bought, sold and traded: Windows Desktops, Mac desktops (G3s-intel machines), Laptops (again G3s- my current blackbook), video game systems, DVDs, iPods, and more, literally thousands of dollars of equipment over the years and I've never been scammed in my life, ditto for eBay, usually you don't get scammed when you're selling stuff anyways. If someone puts $xxx in your paypal account, you have it, so weather that money is from here or eBay 99% of the time you're safe as long as you aren't looking to scam someone, just make sure you get a tracking number is all.
Click to expand...

If your selling anything on ebay, all the scammer has to do is say they didn't receive the item and dispute it with Paypal or their credit card and they will recover their money and have your item. Paypal will retrieve the money from your account and if your funds have been moved, PayPal will put your account in the negative. If the ebay item you are selling is worth more than $250 (including shipping) and you get delivery confirmation, and a scammer buys your ebay item, you've just lost your item and the scammers know this. You will not be covered by PayPal's guarantee, because you didn't get signature confirmation. There are many rules for eBay and PayPal and it's a good idea to know them all. Scammers on ebay is currently a small number, but it's growing every day. In the early days of ebay, scammers were almost unheard of and everyone paid for purchased items with a personal check through the US mail; You wouldn't dream of that now.

Ebay is a great place to buy and craigslist is superior place to sell. Craiglist has no ebay listing fees, no ebay selling fees and no paypal fees. Currently with the 50% hike in ebay selling fees, it will cost you roughly 12% to sell on ebay and accept paypal. Craigslist is 0% to sell an item. When using craigslist, meet in a public spot and accept cash only. There are many scammers on craiglist as well and they will want you to accept Alertpal, Bidpay or cashiers check etc... Cash only!
 
eman said:
It's very silly to make stuff up.
Click to expand...

If you're insinuating that I'm making stuff up, scroll up and see my original post. I've given the same guidelines that you have, infra, on how to protect yourself against scammers.

We agree that eBay is a cesspool, but sometimes you have to make use of it to maximize your returns.
 
I sold my MBP on CL and after going through a few sketchy buyers I found a nice, "normal" buyer. He was very nice and we met at a Bank. He inspected the laptop and then we went to the teller and he got me the cash right in front of me. Very smooth.
 
I've used all 3. They all have their pluses and minuses. For large purchases, I've used Craigslist, but yeah, meet somewhere in public and only take cash. There's always the possibility of being scammed, just be careful. If you use eBay, same thing. I've never had a problem selling here either though.
 
zainjetha said:
Last time i read a story on MR of a guy who got beaten up when he went to sell his MBP on craigslist. Dont advise it at all.
Click to expand...

zainjetha - Apparently you didn't read the entire story. This was fairly quickly revealed to be a hoax. In other words, it never happened. Please refrain from giving advice until you've checked your facts.
 
nhcowboy1 said:
zainjetha - Apparently you didn't read the entire story. This was fairly quickly revealed to be a hoax. In other words, it never happened. Please refrain from giving advice until you've checked your facts.
Click to expand...

I was one of mugs who posted a sympathy vote on that guy,cant say it was revealed quickly though
as the post was around 6ish pages if i remember correctly
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back